Shelbyville knocks Oakwood out of Regional tournament
By Fred Kroner
Oakwood’s bid for a Class 2A regional championship in boys’ basketball was ended by Shelbyville on Wednesday (Feb. 21) with a semifinal loss at St. Joseph-Ogden to Shelbyville, 57-56.
Shelbyville led, 18-16, after one period and 29-26 at intermission. The Rams sunk two late-game free throws to rally for the victory.
Jackson Dudley popped in five three-pointers and totaled a team-high 19 points for the Comets. Alec Harrison added 18 points. Cort Vermillion scored eight points. Finishing with three points apiece were Carsen Dudley, Brandt Hobick and Bryson McDaniel. Brody Taflinger netted two points.
On Monday (Feb. 19), the Comets used a 20-9 second-period run to take control in the quarterfinals against Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond, a game Oakwood won at home, 65-43,
Harrison totaled a game-high 20 points. Carsen Dudley hit 16 points and Taflinger added nine points.
Taflinger and Carsen Dudley were catalysts in the second-quarter spree. Taflinger hit seven of his points in the quarter and Dudley made five of his in the stanza.
McDaniel also tallied nine points. Jackson Dudley fired in seven points and Vermillion notched four points.
Oakwood concludes the year with a 25-8 season record.
Harrison led the team in scoring in 14 games. Jackson Dudley was the leader in eight games and Carsen Dudley led in seven games. Taflinger and Vermillion each led twice. McDnaiel was the leader in one game.
Four squad members had games of 20, or more, points.
Carsen Dudley put up 25 points against Armstrong-Potomac. Harrison totaled 24 points against Cissna Park. Jackson Dudley made 22 points against Chrisman and Vermillion connected for 22 points against Hoopeston Area.
The team’s balanced scoring attack featured Harrison with a 12.0 per-game scoring average followed by Jackson Dudley (11.7), Carsen Dudley (11.4), Vermillion (8.0) and Taflinger (7.0).
The Dudey brothers were the leaders in three-pointers made. Jackson bagged 70 and Carsen totaled 66. Other three-point leaders were Vermillion (45), Taflinger (34) and McDaniel (13).
The team’s most accurate free throw shooters were Taflinger (82.4 percent), Vermillion (68.1 percent) and Jackson Dudley (62.3 percent).
